Do the Rastafarians that are Orthodox usually give up marijuana? (Sorry if that is a silly or offensive question. I don't know much about Rastafarians or marijuana. About 15 years ago I thought I talked to an evil spirit while I was under the influence of marijuana and other drugs that I can't remember. It scared me after I sobered-up, because it seemed like I came close to worshiping or praying to it. So that is the reason for my curiosity.)

Maybe the "other drugs" were responsible for your bad experience, and not the ganja?

Logged

If you will, you can become all flame.Extra caritatem nulla salus.In order to become whole, take the "I" out of "holiness". सर्वभूतहितἌνω σχῶμεν τὰς καρδίας"Those who say religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion is." -- Mohandas GandhiY dduw bo'r diolch.

Do the Rastafarians that are Orthodox usually give up marijuana? (Sorry if that is a silly or offensive question. I don't know much about Rastafarians or marijuana. About 15 years ago I thought I talked to an evil spirit while I was under the influence of marijuana and other drugs that I can't remember. It scared me after I sobered-up, because it seemed like I came close to worshiping or praying to it. So that is the reason for my curiosity.)

It depends on the individual. The Church has always frowned upon the usage of Marijuana, but has wisely not made this issue a deal breaker in evangelizing Rastas. In Jamaica, some Rastas will smoke Ganja outside of the Church gates, but never within the Church property. Rastas who have entered into the Tewahedo Faith respect the Church and her Teachings, and do not elevate their individual customs above the Teachings and Traditions of the Church. In areas where the usage of Ganja is legal, a Priest may perhaps "allow" it, but I doubt if any Priest would give their blessing to the use of Ganja. From what I know, most Rastas who have converted to the Tewahedo Faith and continue to use Ganja do not ask their Priest about it, for they know that they will most likely be encouraged to stop.

For the record, I do not use marijuana, altghough I support its legalization. However, whether legal or illegal, I would encourage all people to follow the Teachings of the Church and the counsel of their Priests when considering its usage.

Selam

« Last Edit: November 13, 2010, 03:09:12 PM by Gebre Menfes Kidus »

Logged

"Whether it’s the guillotine, the hangman’s noose, or reciprocal endeavors of militaristic horror, radical evil will never be recompensed with radical punishment. The only answer, the only remedy, and the only truly effective response to radical evil is radical love."+ Gebre Menfes Kidus +http://bookstore.authorhouse.com/Products/SKU-000984270/Rebel-Song.aspx

The question of ganja is thorny. The archbishop maintains that it is the main reason his church is seen as a Rasta church and attracts few non-Rastafarians adherents from the Caribbean. He claims that most people cling to old-time fears of Rastas which are somehow symbolized by the ganja smoking. "There are so many people here in New York," he laments. "They want to come into our church. But they see them (Rastas) around the church, in the area, smoking. So it's embarrassing and they don't want to come." A Church Sister, Terseta, agrees that the fear has history. "Lots of people don't come here (to the New York church, in the Bronx)," she says, "because they scared of Rasta. Like they do in the island, too." It comes, she avers, from "the beginning" when Rastas essentially devolved out of the Maroons. "The Maroons was the original Rasta people", and folks, black and white, were afraid of them.

The Archbishop is firm about expelling those Rastas who, by their unabated and flagrant ganja smoking, disturb and intimidate "those people who are trying to work for their own salvation." Since ganja is illegal, he cannot condone its use. "As long as it is illegal, we do not, we can not agree." he explains. "But we are not in control of what people do in their own houses.

It is absolutely false to say the Orthodox Church has always frowned on the usage of mariuijna. One of the great Russian Saints of the 18th century was an expert cultivator of it...and frequently ran naked in the woods....But some Saints do odd things .... l dont mean to imply encouragement or disvouragement for its usage. I believe God gives everyone the right of self medication within the power and will of their conscience... Know thyself...and seek wisdom...a fool with his heart are soon departed.

Logged

Courteous is my name,and I have always aimed to live up to it.Grace is also my name,but when things go wrongits Courteous whom I blame;but its Grace who sees me through it.

It is absolutely false to say the Orthodox Church has always frowned on the usage of mariuijna. One of the great Russian Saints of the 18th century was an expert cultivator of it...and frequently ran naked in the woods...

Could you elaborate?

Logged

Quote

“A goose to hatch the Crystal Egg after an Eagle had half-hatched it! Aye, aye, to be sure, that’s right,” said the Old Woman of Beare. “And now you must go find out what happened to it. Go now, and when you come back I will give you your name.”

It is absolutely false to say the Orthodox Church has always frowned on the usage of mariuijna. One of the great Russian Saints of the 18th century was an expert cultivator of it...and frequently ran naked in the woods...

If you get down and you quarrel every day, You're saying prayers to the devils, I say. Why not help one another on the way? Make it much easier.

Positive vibration!

Selam

Logged

"Whether it’s the guillotine, the hangman’s noose, or reciprocal endeavors of militaristic horror, radical evil will never be recompensed with radical punishment. The only answer, the only remedy, and the only truly effective response to radical evil is radical love."+ Gebre Menfes Kidus +http://bookstore.authorhouse.com/Products/SKU-000984270/Rebel-Song.aspx